Live Blog and Chat: Presidential debate
posted at 8:00 pm on September 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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I’ll be live-blogging the first presidential debate, scheduled to start at 9 PM ET. I’m using the Cover It Live system again tonight, but I’m combining it with the Ustream chat room from my show. That way the community can interact with each other as well as with me while I live-blog the debate. Jazz Shaw from The Moderate Voice will be moderating the chat, and don’t forget to register at Ustream to participate!
Here are the keys I’ll watch in the debate:
- If they stick to foreign policy, McCain has to get aggressive with Obama and demand specifics. McCain wants to emphasize his long experience on foreign policy and military affairs. Obama needs to keep the debate on general themes and criticize George Bush while avoiding getting pinned down on specifics.
- If the debate switches to financial policy, which I expect, the dynamics change a little bit. Obama is perceived to be stronger here, and he will need to get specific in order to demonstrate that. McCain still needs to aggressively push Obama on his inaction on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in 2005-6 and emphasize that government meddling created the financial meltdown.
- Obama reacted poorly when Hillary Clinton went after him in Pennsylvania. If he starts stammering his way through questions, he’s rattled. And no one gets under people’s skin like McCain.
I’ll watch the debates on C-SPAN. No one is providing an embeddable live-stream for the debate, as far as I know.
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move to Canada B.O.
slackerjpt on September 26, 2008 at 9:36 PM
McCain rips back on health care – government should not take it over.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Cut spending! But Obama wants more. Like early ACORN Education!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
“As President, I’m gonna have to make some tough decisions!” – Obama
What an ass. I’m surprised he didn’t bring his own podium with his little play presidential seal on it.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Here’s a newsflash for the moderator. Presidents don’t “rule” the country. This is our country. The people are still be boss!
RushBaby on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
In the short term it’s a big hit, but it doesn’t have to be in the long term, if they get spending under control. The worst thing that Bush ever did was NOT use his veto pen regularly.
RBMN on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
barry is getting mad
custer on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Right, where are those ‘lying’ programs going to be paid from?
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Better than Hillary tho…right?
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
John McCain’s entire philosophy of gov’t – small and efficient will only help during this economic downturn. Obama has to revamp everything and wouldn’t be able to do anything he based his campaign on.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
John Sidney McCain will be our next president.
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
How many times is he going to ask the same damn question? What’s he trying to prove?
jewells45 on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Good one for McCain to suggest he needs to roll back some of those program promises.
church on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
BO keeps interrupting McCain, keeps shutting up as McCain keeps talking. BO out of his league
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:37 PM
McCain…stop spending.
Obama…no spending enough.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
90% isn’t 100% Senator Obama….say it John…SAY IT
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
We owe China 500 Billion. You’re fixin’ to owe me and 300 million of my closest friends 700 Billion!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
How many times has Obama said corporations and profit? I wish I had kept count. Karl Marx would be proud of you Barry.
DeathB4Tyranny on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
RushBaby, darling, you assume the people are still thinking, and in control.
“Your president”, “this orgy of spending” – so did you fu***r, vote for all the spending.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
McCain not even looking at him…lol. Manboy.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Yeah, Mac on healthcare. I think STE is gaining steam in this debate.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Why is McCain railing on the Defense industry? As someone who is involved in that community, I find that appalling.
Cr4sh Dummy on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
“John”, again…accusing him of agreeing with Bush on spending. God, what a disingenous tool.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Give it up Barry. Nobody believes you’re a tightwad.
RBMN on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Barry is drowning on this topic. He’s attacking McCain on supporting Bush’s spending?
Mattpat11 on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Ms. Congeniality line again…
ya gotta get more names buddy
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:38 PM
“your president”?
either Obama doesn’t vote, or he doesn’t consider himself an American.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Put the chum in the water…the shark is going to feed.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
It’s BoooooSSHHH!
Sez bambi
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Jim–John.
“Orgy.”
McCain doesn’t earmark. How can Obama complain about McCain’s spending? Let’s talk about Obama and Ayers blowing $100 million in the Annenberg Challenge.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Shout out to Sarah Palin! Woot! Woot!
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Independent Mavericks for Presidents
Beats the alternative
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
defense procurement needs to be cleaned up. it’s a sewer.
Mccain is smart to raise the issue
olddeadmeat on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Orgy of spending! :hippo
Typhonsentra on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
McCain destroyed Obama on “agreeing” (actually voting) with Bush 90% of the time. McCain just blitzed him.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Your president? Hey BO he’s OUR PRESIDENT.
Ass.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
s u r g e
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Finally! Foreign policy.
C’mon, Johnny Mac – wipe the floor with this nancy boy already!
Marybeth on September 26, 2008 at 9:39 PM
McCain was right on the surge. Judgement
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Iraq…time for Barry’s butt whipping…
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
the lesson of Iraq is that you can’t have a bad strategy? ugh
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
calling out President Bush. good move.
lay out the mistakes so he can’t be attacked. smart move.
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Nail Obama on Iraq!!!
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Acorn acorn acorn acorn Say it! SAY IT!
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
I think we’re off the economy. Now we’re on McCain’s turf. Obama is walking in a minefield from now on.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
I think McCain is blowing Obama away.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Is anyone keeping count of how many times each of them is saying the word “I”?
“I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”"I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”"I”,”I”,”I”,
“I”,”I”,”I”,”I”"I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”,”I”"I”,”I”,”I”.
MB4 on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
I think it’s a good line to say “the American people know me very well” implies the opposite of the other.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:40 PM
He’s doing good on Iraq. My blood pressure is going down.
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Consequences of Barry’s defeat. McCain and Petreaus saved our bacon in Iraq.
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
heh. this should be fun…
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Obama was in the Illinois senate. How risky was that?
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Oh yeah talk about how you were against the war there O
tee866 on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Exit strategy is Victory you numbnut
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
He thinks that he’s the oracle
slackerjpt on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
OMG…Obama flat out lying. 6 years ago? Please call him on Jim?…John?
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Bama’s over soooo over
EricPWJohnson on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
McCain is, as expected, cleaning his clock. If you’ll recall the donk punditry expected this and started saying monday that “how the debate is percieved is as important as what is said”. The media will throw itself on this proverbial hand grenade to take one for Barry. McCain needs to take all three ideally or two out of three at a minimum.
sven10077 on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
DISTRACTION
Kini on September 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
It was not risky for a state senator from SOUTH CHICAGO to oppose the war. What a crock.
RBMN on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
here we go.
Obama touting he opposed the war when he wasn’t on the national scene.
was he bombing fed buildings with Ayers?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
You WERE wrong. ARE wrong
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
“I want to come home in defeat.”
=Obama.
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
I hate the word “Destraction”
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
McCain needs to hit Obama for saying the surge would make things worse.
Mark1971 on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Al Qaida is stronger now?
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Oh my…don’t let me down Mac…LAY. HIM. OUT.
wait…Alqeada is stronger now than ever before? Facts on that Senator?
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
+1
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
AQ strong? what news is he reading?
madmonkphotog on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
This is the most bogus argument around.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
BArry oblarney’s iraq gloom and doom is a great set up for Mac, can he respond?
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
And we all trust Obama to beat Al Qaeda, right? Everybody who thinks Obama knows how to handle a terrorist threat, please raise your hand.
That’s what I thought.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
McCain, nail him on Iraq, on wishing to lose.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Come on John, say that Barry would have pulled us out in defeat!!!!!
Star20 on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Obama nailed this one pretty well.
Typhonsentra on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Ustream is really hanging up this thread.
Connie on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
I interviewed a Colonel Tuesday who explained the 79 billion Iraqi surplus. Iraq is building their infrastructure.
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Nice Mac. Stop living in the past Senator.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Oh hell yes! Obama got slammed again.
SouthernGent on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Go answer..John. What we leave behind in Iraq.
Get him on the surge..YEAH!
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Mac killing barry now
james23 on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Great point McCain!
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
As George Constanza told Jerry Seinfeld, “It’s not a lie if you believe it.”
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Oh HELL YEAH! Very nice Mac.
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:43 PM
BOOOOOOM!!!!
McCain lowers the boom on the surge.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Obama smirks while McCain spanks
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Leave behind 29mil corpses.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Perfect – Lehrer trying to stop McCain on critiquing Obama on not going.
Entelechy on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
and Biden is wrong too!
Pilgrim on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
That f**Khead Lehre keeps interupting McCain!
John Doe on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
McCain finally got a series of body blows in there.
CanadianGuy on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Obama gets challenged on Iraq. Obama: “hey I got Biden”
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Anyone else praying for a bathroom break?
carbon_footprint on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
But but but Biden knows stuff!
Ordinary1 on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
McCain is getting warmed up. He made a tactical choice to strike a bipartisanship note, which let Obama off the hook, which is frustrating. But now when the subject is what it was suppose to be — foreign policy — McCain is making points.
Obama on Iraq is talking nonsense. So he would have left Saddam in power.
Phil Byler on September 26, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Slap that bastard McCain!!!!!!!!
Winebabe on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
McCain losing the Iraq debate right now. Needs to turn it around.
indythinker on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Obama on Iraq – throw the baby out with the bathwater.
dugan on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
I think Obama is sounding petulant.
BuckeyeSam on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Joe Biden isn’t running for president, dummy!
HornetSting on September 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
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